US3476610A - Battery having two positive active materials - Google Patents
Battery having two positive active materials Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3476610A US3476610A US566621A US3476610DA US3476610A US 3476610 A US3476610 A US 3476610A US 566621 A US566621 A US 566621A US 3476610D A US3476610D A US 3476610DA US 3476610 A US3476610 A US 3476610A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- silver oxide
- active material
- electrolyte
- electrode
- layer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M4/00—Electrodes
- H01M4/02—Electrodes composed of, or comprising, active material
- H01M4/06—Electrodes for primary cells
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
Definitions
- the secondary active material is present as an electrolyte impermeable masking layer which in the undischarged state isolates the principal active material from contact with the electrolyte and thereby providing improved stand and shelf life.
- the secondary active material is also present as a layer interposed between the principal active material and electrical contact means whereby the battery is characterized by a single potential discharge at the potential characteristic of the secondary active material discharged against the negative electrode.
- Certain electrode active materials which because of their high capacities and good rate capabilities are suitable for use as the principal active material in an electrode, but they are unstable in electrolyte. This instability generally manifests itself either in the active material going into solution in the electrolyte or by gassing. Either form of the active material decomposition limits the usefulness of the material for battery applications particularly when long periods of shelf life or stand are required prior to use.
- 'It is another object of the present invent-ion to provide a stable single potential discharge from a multivalent active material such as divalent silver oxide that discharges at two or more potentials.
- an electrode comprising a principal active material and a secondary active material having a lower potential than the principal active material and a discharge product oxidizable by the principal active material.
- the secondary active material is present in part as electrolyte impermeable masking layer which in the undischarged state isolates the principal active material from contact with the electrolyte in which the electrode is to be used and which, upon discharge of the secondary active material in that layer, becomes electrolyte permeable whereby the electrolyte contacts the principal active material.
- the secondary active material is also present as an interposed layer forming the sole path for the flow of electrons to the principal active material for the development by the electrode throughout discharge of the potential characteristic of the secondary active material.
- divalent silver oxide electrode While not limited thereto the advantages of an electrode in accordance with the present invention can be illustrated by means of a divalent silver oxide electrode. As will be understood by those skilled. in the art, while divalent silver oxide has an exceptionally high capacity, it evolves oxygen when in contact with aqueous solutions of alkaline electrolytes. This undesirable effect increases with increasing temperature. The gassing of divalent silver oxide creates serious problems in the sealing of cells incorporating this material. In addition, divalent silver oxide discharges at two potentials; first at approximately 1.8 volts vs. zinc in an alkaline electrolyte, and then at approximately 1.6 volts vs. zinc in an alkaline electrolyte. The voltage drop generally occurs when a divalent silver oxide cell is approximately half way through its useful life.
- a divalent electrode in accordance with the present invention will deliver all of its capacity at the monovalent silver oxide potential thus providing a substantially constant output voltage; and in addition, the gassing of the divalent silver oxide in the electrolyte is prevented until discharge of the electrode has begun. This extends the stand or shelf life capabilities of cells incorporating such electrodes and facilitates the sealing of such cells.
- the present invention provides a means for utilizing a highly active, high-capacity active material which tends to be unstable in electrolyte by inhibiting the instability of the material until discharge has begun, said discharge being at a lower potential than that normally developed by the material.
- potassium permanganate can be discharged at the lower potential of a more stable active material such as monovalent silver oxide or mercuric oxide.
- divalent silver oxide can be discharged at the lower potential of mercuric oxide in addition to the lower potential of monovalent silver oxide as described hereinbefore.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a primary silverzinc cell :having a positive electrode in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a top elevation taken along the lines of II--II of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a curve showing the discharge characteristics of a primary silver-zinc cell in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 1 there is shown a sectional elevation of a silver-zinc cell, designated by the numeral 1, having a positive electrode in accordance with the present invention.
- the cell 1 is conventional in all respects with the exception of the construction of the positive electrode.
- the cell 1 has a two-part container comprising an upper section or cap 2 which houses the negative electrode, and a lower section or cup 3 which houses the positive electrode.
- the bottom cup 3 is formed with an annular shoulder 4 having a flange 5 which is crimped inward during assembly to seal the cell.
- the bottom cup 3 may be made of nickel plated steel, and the cap 2. may be made of tin plated steel.
- the cap 2 is insulated from the cup 3 and the flange 5 by means of a grommet 7 which is compressed between the cap 2 and the flange 5 during the crimping operation of cell assembly to provide a compression seal between these parts.
- the grommet 7 may be made of a suitable resilient electrolyte resistant material such as neoprene.
- the negative electrode of the cell 1 comprises a lightly compacted pellet 8 of finely divided amalgamated zlnc.
- the zinc electrode 8 is seperated from the positive electrode by means of an electrolyte absorbent layer 9 and a membrane barrier 10.
- the electrolyte absorbent layer 9 may be made of electrolyte resistant, highly absorbent substance such as matted cotton fibers. Such a material is available commercially under the trademark Webril.
- the barrier layer 10 may be a suitable semi-permeable material such as cellophane, or comprise a suitable organic carrier such as polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride having a polyelectrolyte homogeneously dispersed therethrough. Such a material is described and claimed in U.S. Patent No. 2,965,697, issued Dec. 20, 1960, to J. C. Duddy.
- the positive electrode of the cell 1 comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a body 11 of divalent silver oxide which, adjacent to the inner surface of the bottom cup 3, is surrounded by a layer of monovalent silver oxide 12 and which is isolated at its top surface by a masking layer 13 of monovalent silver oxide dispersed in a substantially continuous phase throughout an electrolyte resistant binder.
- the body 11 of divalent silver oxide is the principal active material and comprises the majority of the active material in the electrode available for discharge.
- the monovalent silver oxide in the layer 12 and masking layer 13 is the secondary active material.
- the layer 12 of monovalent silver oxide isolates the divalent silver oxide 11 from electronic contact with the bottom cup 3 which is the positive terminal of the cell and the electrode contact.
- the masking layer 13 is electrolyte impermeable and isolates the body of divalent silver oxide 11 from contact with the cell electrolyte until substantially all of the monovalent silver oxide therein is discharged.
- the masking layer 13 is made electrolyte impermeable by dispersing monovalent silver oxide in a substantially continuous phase throughout a binder which is inert in the electrolyte and which resists penetration by the electrolyte. Porosity is developed throughout the masking layer 13 upon the discharge of the monovalent silver oxide in the masking layer as a result of the volumetric decrease which accompanies the reduction of monovalent silver oxide to metallic silver.
- the cell 1 is characterized by a single potential discharge at the monovalent silver oxide-zinc potential.
- the monovalent silver oxide potential is achieved because monovalent silver oxide is present in both the masking layer 13 and the layer 12.
- the monovalent silver oxide in the masking layer 13 is reduced to metallic silver.
- the monovalent silver oxide in the layer 12 and the divalent silver oxide 11 take no active part in the cell reaction at this time since they are isolated from contact with the cell electrolyte.
- electrolyte is made available to these portions of the electrode as discharge continues, metallic silver produced by the discharge of the monovalent silver oxide is reoxidized to monovalent silver oxide by the divalent silver oxide which in the process is itself reduced to monovalent silver oxide.
- the reduction and reoxidation reactions continue until all of the divalent silver oxide is reduced to the -monovalent level and since the external circuit does not masking layer 13 and isolating layer 12 are identical, the cell 1 discharges at a single potential.
- the positive electrode of the cell may be formed in a number of ways.
- the body of divalent silver oxide 11 may be formed as a pellet by first pelletizing finely divided divalent silver oxide powder in a suitable die. This pellet may be then centered in a bigger pellet die and the finely divided monovalent silver oxide compressed around it to form a composite pellet.
- the composite pellet can then be united with the barrier layer materials consolidated by means of pressure applied in situ within the bottom cup 3.
- finely divided monovalent silver oxide powders can be coated with polystyrene by mixing the powder with a solution of polystyrene dissolved in a suitable solvent, and the solvent later being removed by evaporation.
- coated powders thus produced may be consolidated by means of pressure to produce a structurized layer united with the preformed pellet described above. Simultaneously, the pressure will disperse the monovalent silver oxide therein into a continuous phase throughout the polyestyrene to form an electrolyte impermeable masking layer.
- the electrode it is also possible to form the electrode by pelletizing a suitable quantity of divalent silver oxide powder and then chemically reducing its surface to monovalent silver oxide. A masking layer may then be added as described above. It is also possible to form the masking layer by dispersnig the silver oxide throughout a suitable plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene or the like by means of heat and pressure in an intensive mixer such as a rubber mill.
- a suitable plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene or the like by means of heat and pressure in an intensive mixer such as a rubber mill.
- the plastic binder material can be plasticized at a suitable temperature on the mill and the silver oxide added thereto while the binder is in the plasticized state. The material thus produced can then be sheeted to an appropriate thickness between calendaring rolls to produce sheet material from which the masking layers can be cut by means of a stamping operation.
- the masking layers thus produced can be united with the remainder of the electrode structure by means of pressure.
- a grid may be incorporated in the surface of the masking layer to reduce this impedance.
- a woven metallic screen is suitable for this purpose and where desired it may be welded or otherwise electrically connected to the cathode cup.
- the thinner the masking layer 13 and the layer 12 the more divalent silver oxide can be included in the electrode thereby increasing its capacity.
- the uni-potential discharge of the electrode is to be maintained, there can be no discontinuity in the monovalent layer 12 which would provide direct electronic contact between the divalent silver oxide body and the external circuit.
- the curve in FIG. 3 demonstrates typical performance of a cell in accordance with the present invention.
- An example of a cell embodying the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.
- the negative electrode comprises lightly compacted battery grade metallic zinc amalgamated with 14% mercury.
- the cell is sealed with a neoprene rubber grommet.
- the separation utilized between the electrodes comprises a layer of Webril absorbent and a layer of cellophane.
- the cell has electrolyte formulated by dissolving grams of potassium hydroxide and 16 grams of zinc oxide in 100 cc. of water.
- the positive electrode of this cell in accordance with the present invention comprises a first pellet of divalent silver oxide consolidated in situ in the cathode cup by means of 15,000 lbs. per square inch of pressure.
- the masking layer comprises monovalent silver oxide coated with polystyrene.
- the coated particles of monovalent silver oxide are produced by mixing the particles in a solution of carbon tetrachloride containing polystyrene in the amount of 1% by weight of the monovalent silver oxide and then removing the carbon tetrachloride by means of evaporation. Following the coating of the monovalent silver oxide particles with polystyrene, the coated particles are placed on the divalent silver oxide pellet in the bottom cup andthe electrode structurized by the applications of 40,000 lbs. per square inch pressure. This pressure disperses the monovalent silver oxide in the barrier layer into a substantially continuous phase throughout the polystyrene and makes the masking layer electrolyte impermeable.
- An isolating layer of monovalent silver oxide is formed between the bottom and side walls of the cup of the cell and the body of divalent silver oxide.
- the pellet can was made of silver plated steel.
- Electrodes in accordance with the present invention have been constructed utilizing the electrode materials other than monovalent silver oxide and divalent silver oxide.
- divalent silver oxide has been dischanged against zinc utilizing an isolating layer and masking layer incorporating mercuric oxide as the secondary active material.
- potassium permanganate has been discharged against zinc at the potential of monovalent silver oxide and mercuric oxide utilizing these materials as the secondary active material.
- the masking layers of these active materials have been particularly effective in preventing electrolytecontact with the potassium permanganate principal active material on prolonged stands. Inspection after several months of stand of cells so constructed, showed none of the electrolyte coloration characteristic of potassium permanganate.
- a battery comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode including electrical contact means, a separator between said positive and negative electrodes, and an electrolyte contained substantially wholly within said separator and said negative electrode, said positive electrode comprising a principal active material and a secondary active material, said principal active material having a higher potental than said secondary active material, said secondary active material being stable in the electrolyte, a portion of said secondary active material being present in its charged state as a substantially electrolyte impermeable layer interposed between the principal active material and the separator and negative electrode components which contain electrolyte, and a second portion of secondary active material being interposed between said principal active material and said electrical contact means as a continuous layer in physical and electrical contact with said principal active material physically isolating said principal active material from said electrical contact means.
- a battery comprising a negative electrode, a positive electrode including electrical contact means, a separator between said positive and negative electrodes, and an alkaline electrolyte contained substantially wholly within said separator and said negative electrode, said positive electrode comprising a divalent silver oxide principal active material and a monovalent silver oxide secondary active material, a portion of said monovalent silver oxide being present in its charged state as an electrolyte impermeable layer interposed between the divalent silver oxide and the separator and negative electrode components which contain electrolyte, and the remainder of said monovalent silver oxide being interposed between said divalent silver oxide and said electrical contact means as a continuous layer physically isolating said divalent silver oxide from said electrical contact means.
Description
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US56662166A | 1966-07-20 | 1966-07-20 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US3476610A true US3476610A (en) | 1969-11-04 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US566621A Expired - Lifetime US3476610A (en) | 1966-07-20 | 1966-07-20 | Battery having two positive active materials |
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US (1) | US3476610A (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3852115A (en) * | 1971-01-18 | 1974-12-03 | Timex Corp | Primary cell case |
US3904438A (en) * | 1973-04-09 | 1975-09-09 | Mallory Batteries Ltd | Closure for electrochemical cells |
US3907598A (en) * | 1973-04-26 | 1975-09-23 | Esb Inc | Sealed low drain rate dry cell having in situ stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer |
US4015055A (en) * | 1975-09-29 | 1977-03-29 | Union Carbide Corporation | Metal oxide cells having low internal impedance |
DE2652560A1 (en) * | 1976-03-15 | 1977-09-22 | Esb Inc | ALKALINE PRIMARY CELL |
DE2732082A1 (en) * | 1976-07-16 | 1978-01-26 | Hitachi Maxell | SILVER (II) OXIDE CELL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING IT |
FR2379172A1 (en) * | 1977-01-28 | 1978-08-25 | Mallory & Co Inc P R | STABILIZED VOLTAGE DIVALENT SILVER OXIDE CATHODE ELECTROLYTE BATTERY |
JPS55102172A (en) * | 1980-01-25 | 1980-08-05 | Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd | Anode of silver peroxide cell |
EP0049295A1 (en) * | 1980-04-09 | 1982-04-14 | Sony Eveready Inc. | Silver oxide cell |
US5667910A (en) * | 1996-04-03 | 1997-09-16 | Wilson Greatbatch Ltd. | Electrochemical cell having a cathode comprising differing active formulations and method |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2542710A (en) * | 1946-10-15 | 1951-02-20 | Ruben Samuel | Alkaline dry cell |
US2795638A (en) * | 1954-09-02 | 1957-06-11 | Fischbach Adolph | Silver peroxide electrodes |
US2837590A (en) * | 1956-10-03 | 1958-06-03 | Hamilton Watch Co | Molybdenum anode cell |
US3057944A (en) * | 1959-12-21 | 1962-10-09 | Electric Storage Battery Co | Electric battery |
-
1966
- 1966-07-20 US US566621A patent/US3476610A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2542710A (en) * | 1946-10-15 | 1951-02-20 | Ruben Samuel | Alkaline dry cell |
US2795638A (en) * | 1954-09-02 | 1957-06-11 | Fischbach Adolph | Silver peroxide electrodes |
US2837590A (en) * | 1956-10-03 | 1958-06-03 | Hamilton Watch Co | Molybdenum anode cell |
US3057944A (en) * | 1959-12-21 | 1962-10-09 | Electric Storage Battery Co | Electric battery |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3852115A (en) * | 1971-01-18 | 1974-12-03 | Timex Corp | Primary cell case |
US3904438A (en) * | 1973-04-09 | 1975-09-09 | Mallory Batteries Ltd | Closure for electrochemical cells |
US3907598A (en) * | 1973-04-26 | 1975-09-23 | Esb Inc | Sealed low drain rate dry cell having in situ stable divalent silver oxide depolarizer |
US4015055A (en) * | 1975-09-29 | 1977-03-29 | Union Carbide Corporation | Metal oxide cells having low internal impedance |
FR2326049A1 (en) * | 1975-09-29 | 1977-04-22 | Union Carbide Corp | METAL OXIDE CATHOD ALKALINE BATTERY |
DE2652560A1 (en) * | 1976-03-15 | 1977-09-22 | Esb Inc | ALKALINE PRIMARY CELL |
DE2732082A1 (en) * | 1976-07-16 | 1978-01-26 | Hitachi Maxell | SILVER (II) OXIDE CELL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING IT |
FR2379172A1 (en) * | 1977-01-28 | 1978-08-25 | Mallory & Co Inc P R | STABILIZED VOLTAGE DIVALENT SILVER OXIDE CATHODE ELECTROLYTE BATTERY |
JPS55102172A (en) * | 1980-01-25 | 1980-08-05 | Seiko Instr & Electronics Ltd | Anode of silver peroxide cell |
JPS5933934B2 (en) * | 1980-01-25 | 1984-08-18 | セイコーインスツルメンツ株式会社 | Silver peroxide battery anode body |
EP0049295A1 (en) * | 1980-04-09 | 1982-04-14 | Sony Eveready Inc. | Silver oxide cell |
EP0049295B1 (en) * | 1980-04-09 | 1985-08-14 | Sony Eveready Inc. | Silver oxide cell |
US5667910A (en) * | 1996-04-03 | 1997-09-16 | Wilson Greatbatch Ltd. | Electrochemical cell having a cathode comprising differing active formulations and method |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: EXIDE CORPORATION, Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:ESB INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:004192/0945 Effective date: 19801218 Owner name: RAYOVAC CORPORATION, 101 EAST WASHINGTON AVE., MAD Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:EXIDE CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004192/0903 Effective date: 19830610 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SECURITY PACIFIC BUSINESS CREDIT, INC. Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RAYOVAC CORPORATION, A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004561/0167 Effective date: 19860415 Owner name: FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO THE Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RAYOVAC CORPORATION, A CORP OF DE.;REEL/FRAME:004561/0167 Effective date: 19860415 |
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Owner name: RAYOVAC CORPORATION, WISCONSIN Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNORS:FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE;SECURITY PACIFIC BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004998/0608 Effective date: 19881102 Owner name: RAYOVAC CORPORATION, 601 RAYOVAC DRIVE, MADISON, W Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNORS:FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE;SECURITY PACIFIC BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.;REEL/FRAME:004998/0608 Effective date: 19881102 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: RAYOVAC CORPORATION, WISCONSIN Free format text: RELEASED BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, THE;REEL/FRAME:005016/0057 Effective date: 19881102 |